Production of fumonisin B1 and moniliformin by Gibberella fujikuroi from rice from various geographic areas

Gibberella fujikuroi strains isolated from rice in the United States, Asia, and other geographic areas were tested for sexual fertility with members of mating population D and for production of fumonisin B1 and moniliformin in culture. Of the 59 field strains tested, 32 (54%) were able to cross with tester strains of mating population D, but only a few ascospores were produced in most of these crosses. Thirty-four strains produced more than 10 micrograms of fumonisin B1 per g, but only three strains produced more than 1000 micrograms/g. Twenty-five strains produced more than 100 micrograms of moniliformin per g, and 15 produced more than 1,000 micrograms/g. Seven field strains produced both fumonisin B1 and moniliformin, but none of these strains produced a high level of fumonisin B1 (1,000 micrograms/g). However, a genetic cross between a strain that produced fumonisin B1 but no moniliformin and a strain that produced moniliformin but no fumonisin B1 yielded progeny that produced high levels of both toxins. Strains of G. fujikuroi isolated from rice infected with bakanae disease are similar to strains of mating population D isolated from maize in their ability to produce both fumonisins and moniliformin. This finding suggests a potential for contamination of rice with both fumonisins and moniliformin